U.S. patent application number 10/377694 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-04 for method, apparatus and program for image search.
Invention is credited to Ogura, Katsuo, Sanse, Takasi.
Application Number | 20030167264 10/377694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27800100 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030167264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogura, Katsuo ; et
al. |
September 4, 2003 |
Method, apparatus and program for image search
Abstract
In an image use system wherein image registration is received
for use by users, images related to each other can be searched for
efficiently. A keyword database stores story keywords and a
plurality of search keywords related to each of the story keywords.
When a search is carried out based on any one of the story
keywords, all images added with the search keywords related to the
story keyword are searched for, and a list of thumbnail images of
the images that have been found are obtained as a search
result.
Inventors: |
Ogura, Katsuo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Sanse, Takasi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
27800100 |
Appl. No.: |
10/377694 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.003; 707/E17.026 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/58 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/3 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 2002 |
JP |
056765/2002 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image search method comprising the steps of: receiving an
input of a desired one of representative keywords among the
representative keywords each of which is prepared for representing
a plurality of search keywords; searching for a desired portion of
image data sets that is related to the search keywords represented
by the desired representative keyword, by referring to keyword
storage means for storing the representative keywords each in
relation to the search keywords, and by referring to image storage
means that stores the image data sets in relation to the search
keywords therefor; and outputting a search result.
2. An image search method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step
of outputting the search result is the step of outputting thumbnail
images represented by the desired portion of the image data sets by
being included in the search result.
3. An image search method as defined in claim 2, further comprising
the steps of: receiving selection of a desired portion of the
thumbnail images; receiving a specification of storage destination
for classifying each of the selected thumbnail images; receiving an
instruction to classify the selected thumbnail images; and storing
each of the selected thumbnail images in the storage that has been
specified therefor, in response to the instruction.
4. An image search method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step
of receiving the input of the desired one of the representative
keywords is the step of receiving the input of the desired
representative keyword by displaying the representative keywords
that have been prepared and by receiving selection of the desired
representative keyword therefrom.
5. An image search method as defined in claim 2, wherein the step
of receiving the input of the desired one of the representative
keywords is the step of receiving the input of the desired
representative keyword by displaying the representative keywords
that have been prepared and by receiving selection of the desired
representative keyword therefrom.
6. An image search method as defined in claim 3, wherein the step
of receiving the input of the desired one of the representative
keywords is the step of receiving the input of the desired
representative keyword by displaying the representative keywords
that have been prepared and by receiving selection of the desired
representative keyword therefrom.
7. An image search method as defined in claim 1, further comprising
the steps of receiving an input of a desired one of the search
keywords and narrowing down the search result based on the search
keyword that has been input.
8. An image search method as defined in claim 3, further comprising
the steps of receiving an input of a desired one of the search
keywords and narrowing down the search result based on the search
keyword that has been input.
9. An image search method as defined in claim 4, further comprising
the steps of receiving an input of a desired one of the search
keywords and narrowing down the search result based on the search
keyword that has been input.
10. An image search method as defined in claim 6, further
comprising the steps of receiving an input of a desired one of the
search keywords and narrowing down the search result based on the
search keyword that has been input.
11. An image search apparatus comprising: image storage means for
storing image data sets in relation to search keywords for each of
the image data sets; keyword storage means for storing
representative keywords each of which represents a plurality of the
search keywords, by relating each of the representative keywords to
the search keywords; keyword input means for receiving an input of
a desired one of the representative keywords; search means for
carrying out a search for a desired portion of the image data sets
related to the search keywords represented by the desired
representative keyword that has been input from the keyword input
means, while referring to the keyword storage means and the image
storage means; and search result output means for outputting a
result of the search by the search means.
12. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the
search result output means outputs thumbnail images represented by
the desired portion of the image data sets, by including the
thumbnail images in the result of the search.
13. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 12, further
comprising: instruction input means for receiving selection of a
desired portion of the thumbnail images, for receiving a
specification of storage destination for classifying each of the
selected thumbnail images, and for receiving an instruction for
classifying the selected thumbnail images; and classification means
for storing the selected thumbnail images by classifying each of
the selected thumbnail images in the storage that has been
specified therefor, in response to the instruction that is input by
the instruction input means.
14. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the
keyword input means receives the input of the desired one of the
representative keywords by displaying the representative keywords
and by receiving selection of the desired representative keyword
therefrom.
15. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the
keyword input means receives the input of the desired one of the
representative keywords by displaying the representative keywords
and by receiving selection of the desired representative keyword
therefrom.
16. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the
keyword input means receives the input of the desired one of the
representative keywords by displaying the representative keywords
and by receiving selection of the desired representative keyword
therefrom.
17. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the
keyword input means further receives an input of a desired one of
the search keywords and the search means narrows down the search
result, based on the search keyword that has been input.
18. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the
keyword input means further receives an input of a desired one of
the search keywords and the search means narrows down the search
result, based on the search keyword that has been input.
19. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the
keyword input means further receives an input of a desired one of
the search keywords and the search means narrows down the search
result, based on the search keyword that has been input.
20. An image search apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the
keyword input means further receives an input of a desired one of
the search keywords and the search means narrows down the search
result, based on the search keyword that has been input.
21. A program comprising the steps of: receiving an input of a
desired one of representative keywords among the representative
keywords each of which is prepared for representing a plurality of
search keywords; searching for a desired portion of image data sets
that is related to the search keywords represented by the desired
representative keyword, by referring to keyword storage means for
storing the representative keywords each in relation to the search
keywords, and by referring to image storage means that stores the
image data sets in relation to the search keywords therefor; and
outputting a search result.
22. A program as defined in claim 21, wherein the step of
outputting the search result is the step of outputting thumbnail
images represented by the desired portion of the image data sets by
being included in the search result.
23. A program as defined in claim 22, further comprising the steps
of: receiving selection of a desired portion of the thumbnail
images; receiving a specification of storage destination for
classifying each of the selected thumbnail images; receiving an
instruction to classify the selected thumbnail images; and storing
each of the selected thumbnail images in the storage that has been
specified therefor, in response to the instruction.
24. A program as defined in claim 21, wherein the step of receiving
the input of the desired one of the representative keywords is the
step of receiving the input of the desired representative keyword
by displaying the representative keywords that have been prepared
and by receiving selection of the desired representative keyword
therefrom.
25. A program as defined in claim 22, wherein the step of receiving
the input of the desired one of the representative keywords is the
step of receiving the input of the desired representative keyword
by displaying the representative keywords that have been prepared
and by receiving selection of the desired representative keyword
therefrom.
26. A program as defined in claim 23, wherein the step of receiving
the input of the desired one of the representative keywords is the
step of receiving the input of the desired representative keyword
by displaying the representative keywords that have been prepared
and by receiving selection of the desired representative keyword
therefrom.
27. A program as defined in claim 21, further comprising the steps
of receiving an input of a desired one of the search keywords and
narrowing down the search result based on the search keyword that
has been input.
28. A program as defined in claim 23, further comprising the steps
of receiving an input of a desired one of the search keywords and
narrowing down the search result based on the search keyword that
has been input.
29. A program as defined in claim 24, further comprising the steps
of receiving an input of a desired one of the search keywords and
narrowing down the search result based on the search keyword that
has been input.
30. A program as defined in claim 26, further comprising the steps
of receiving an input of a desired one of the search keywords and
narrowing down the search result based on the search keyword that
has been input.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image search method and
an image search apparatus for outputting a result of a search for
desired image data according to a search keyword. The present
invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to
execute the image search method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the case of searching image storage means for desired
image data, a search means conventionally searches for the image
data according to a search keyword. By using such search means,
desired image data can be easily found by a search according to the
search keyword corresponding to the desired image data. For
example, by inputting a keyword "sea" for a search, all images
related to the search keyword "sea" can be found.
[0005] Meanwhile, an image use system for facilitating use of
images such as image rental and image trade has been proposed. In
this system, a content provider that provides images taken by a
professional photographer or the like registers images, and the
registered images are disclosed to the public.
[0006] In such a system, an image database is generated for the
registered images and stored in an image storage server. A user who
wishes to use the images is allowed to access the image storage
server via a network so that the images can be provided to the
user. The user accesses the image storage server in the image use
system, and searches for a desired one of the images by referring
to the image database. The user can purchase the image or ask for
rental of the image, and can download image data via the
network.
[0007] The image use system described above is open not only to
professional users that use the images for commercial purposes but
also to general users who use the images for private purposes.
Therefore, any user can use the artistic images provided by the
content provider by paying a predetermined charge if he/she
registers himself/herself with the image use system. For content
providers, use of the images can be facilitated, since the users
can widely view the images provided by the provider.
[0008] In the image database in the image storage server, each of
the images is stored in relation to a keyword used for a search
(hereinafter referred to as the search keyword). Therefore, any
user can find a desired one of the images related to the search
keyword by carrying out a search using the search keyword while
referring to the image database. The desired image can be found
efficiently by use of a search method such as narrowing-down
search, synonym search, and whole text search that searches all
comments added to image data.
[0009] In the image use system described above, in the case where a
photograph album or an advertisement (hereinafter referred to as an
image collection) regarding a baseball tournament is generated by
searching for images related to "baseball tournament", for example,
the images added with the search keyword "baseball tournament" can
be found by using the search keyword "baseball tournament".
However, in the case of generating the image collection on the
baseball tournament, not only the images in the tournament but also
images of training, tools such as bats and groves, facial
expressions of players after games, little league tournaments, and
high school baseball tournaments are often searched for, so that
the image collection has a story line. In a case like this, if the
search keyword "baseball tournament" isused alone, the images
having some relationship with the baseball tournament, such as the
images of training and the like, are not found. Therefore, by
carrying out sequential searches according to the various search
keywords such as "training" and "baseball equipment" in addition to
the "baseball tournament", the images can be found. This image
search is extremely inefficient, and hinders promotion of image
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been conceived based on
consideration of the above circumstances. An object of the present
invention is therefore to efficiently search for images that are
correlated to each other.
[0011] An image search method of the present invention comprises
the steps of:
[0012] receiving a desired one of representative keywords among the
representative keywords each of which is prepared for representing
a plurality of search keywords;
[0013] searching for a desired portion of image data sets that is
related to the search keywords represented by the desired
representative keyword, by referring to keyword storage means for
storing the representative keywords each in relation to the search
keywords, and by referring to image storage means that stores the
image data sets in relation to the search keywords; and
[0014] outputting a search result.
[0015] In the image search method of the present invention,
thumbnail images represented by the desired portion of the image
data sets may be output by being included in the search result.
[0016] In this case, the image search method of the present
invention may further comprise the steps of:
[0017] receiving selection of a desired portion of the thumbnail
images;
[0018] receiving a specification of storage destination for
classifying each of the selected thumbnail images;
[0019] receiving an instruction to classify the selected thumbnail
images; and
[0020] storing each of the selected thumbnail images in the storage
destination that has been specified therefor, in response to the
instruction.
[0021] In the image search method of the present invention, the
representative keywords that have been prepared may be displayed so
that the desired one of the representative keywords can be selected
therefrom. The desired one of the keywords may be input in this
manner.
[0022] In the image search method of the present invention, a
desired one of the search keywords may be input so that the search
result can be further narrowed down based on the search keyword
that has been input.
[0023] An image search apparatus of the present invention
comprises:
[0024] image storage means for storing image data sets in relation
to search keywords for each of the image data sets;
[0025] keyword storage means for storing representative keywords
each of which represents a plurality of the search keywords, by
relating each of the representative keywords to the search
keywords;
[0026] keyword input means for receiving an input of a desired one
of the representative keywords;
[0027] search means for carrying out a search for a desired portion
of the image data sets related to the search keywords represented
by the desired representative keyword that has been input from the
keyword input means, while referring to the keyword storage means
and the image storage means; and
[0028] search result output means for outputting a result of the
search by the search means.
[0029] In the image search apparatus of the present invention, the
search result output means may output thumbnail images represented
by the desired portion of the image data sets, by including the
thumbnail images in the result of the search.
[0030] The image search apparatus of the present invention may
further comprise:
[0031] instruction input means for receiving selection of a desired
portion of the thumbnail images, for receiving a specification of
storage destination for classifying each of the selected thumbnail
images, and for receiving an instruction for classifying the
selected thumbnail images; and
[0032] classification means for storing the selected thumbnail
images by classifying each of the selected thumbnail images in the
storage destination that has been specified therefor, in response
to the instruction input from the instruction input means.
[0033] In the image search apparatus of the present invention, the
keyword input means may display the representative keywords so that
the input of the desired one of the representative keywords is
received by receiving a selection of the desired one the
representative keywords therefrom.
[0034] In the image search apparatus of the present invention, the
keyword input means may receive an input of a desired one of the
search keywords so that the search means, can further narrow down
the search result, based on the search keyword that has been
input.
[0035] The image search method of the present invention may be
provided as a program to cause a computer to execute the
method.
[0036] According to the present invention, the representative
keywords that respectively represent a plurality of the search
keywords are prepared and related to the search keywords. When the
desired one of the representative keywords is input, the keyword
storage means and the image storage means are referred to, and the
desired portion of the image data sets added with the search
keywords represented by the desired representative keyword is
searched for and output as the search result. Therefore, by
carrying out only one search based on the desired one of the
representative keywords, the desired portion of the image data sets
added with the search keywords represented by the desired
representative keyword can be searched for. In this manner, an
image search can be carried out efficiently.
[0037] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
thumbnail images represented by the image data sets that have been
searched for may also be output as the search result. Therefore,
the images found in the search can be confirmed at a glance.
[0038] Moreover, according to the present invention, the selection
of the desired portion of the thumbnail images is received and the
storage destination for classifying the selected thumbnail images
is specified for each of the thumbnail images therein. In other
words, in the case where the thumbnail images included in the
search result need to be stored in classification, the storage
destination is specified for each of the selected thumbnail images.
When the instruction for classifying the selected thumbnail images
is received, each of the selected thumbnail images is stored in the
storage destination that has been specified therefor. Therefore, in
the case where the thumbnail images need to be stored in
classification, the storage destination can be specified for each
of the thumbnail images. In addition, each of the thumbnail images
is stored in the specified storage destination at once, in response
to the instruction. In this manner, the thumbnail images can be
classified efficiently.
[0039] In addition, according to the present invention, the
representative keywords are displayed and the desired one of the
representative keywords is selected therefrom. In this manner, the
desired one of the representative keywords can be input easily.
[0040] According to the present invention, a desired one of the
search keywords can be input and the search result can be narrowed
down according to the search keyword that has been input. In this
manner, an image search can be carried out in detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
image use system as an embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
image storage server;
[0043] FIG. 3 shows the structure of a property information
database;
[0044] FIG. 4 shows the structure of a keyword database;
[0045] FIG. 5 shows the structure of an image information
database;
[0046] FIG. 6 shows the structure of a content provider information
database;
[0047] FIG. 7 shows the structure of a user information
database;
[0048] FIG. 8 shows the content of property information represented
by property data;
[0049] FIG. 9 shows a state wherein labels are attached to a
recording medium;
[0050] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing procedures for content
provider registration;
[0051] FIG. 11 shows a top page window;
[0052] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing procedures carried out in
image registration in this embodiment;
[0053] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing procedures for an image
search by a user in this embodiment;
[0054] FIG. 14 shows a top page window for professionals;
[0055] FIG. 15 shows an image search window;
[0056] FIG. 16 shows a search frame in detail (part 1);
[0057] FIG. 17 shows the search frame in detail (part 2);
[0058] FIG. 18 shows a detailed search window shown in the search
frame;
[0059] FIG. 19 shows a search result window;
[0060] FIG. 20 shows a candidate box;
[0061] FIG. 21 shows a photography item window;
[0062] FIG. 22 shows a login window;
[0063] FIG. 23 shows the login window displayed in an operation
frame;
[0064] FIG. 24 shows a detailed information window;
[0065] FIG. 25 shows a use history display window;
[0066] FIG. 26 shows an order box;
[0067] FIG. 27 shows an addressee confirmation window;
[0068] FIG. 28 shows an order content confirmation window;
[0069] FIG. 29 shows a button display frame wherein a Download
button has been added;
[0070] FIG. 30 shows a button display frame wherein a Content
provider Menu button has been added;
[0071] FIG. 31 shows a detailed information setting window for a
content provider;
[0072] FIG. 32 shows a content provider management menu window;
[0073] FIG. 33 shows a time period input window;
[0074] FIG. 34 shows sales information represented by sales
data;
[0075] FIG. 35 shows a rental management window;
[0076] FIG. 36 shows a button display frame wherein a management
menu button has been added;
[0077] FIG. 37 shows a management menu window;
[0078] FIG. 38 shows a content provider management window;
[0079] FIG. 39 shows a category management window;
[0080] FIG. 40 shows a keyword window;
[0081] FIG. 41 shows an order type management window;
[0082] FIG. 42 shows a charge information downloading window;
[0083] FIG. 43 shows charge information represented by charge data;
and
[0084] FIG. 44 shows a detailed information setting window for a
manager.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0085] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a
block diagram showing the configuration of an image use system
adopting an image search apparatus of an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an image use system 100 in this
embodiment exchanges image data sets, films having images recorded
thereon, posters, and the like, between an image storage provider
1, content providers 2, and users 3. The image storage provider 1
receives image registration by the content providers 2 such as
professional photographers, and receives registration by the users
3 to view and to use images disclosed in the image use system
100.
[0086] The image storage provider 1 has an image storage server 10.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image
storage server 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the image storage server 10
comprises a storage unit 11, a database server 12 for controlling
databases stored in the storage unit 11, a Web server 13 for
generating a page to be displayed on a terminal such as a personal
computer owned by any one of the users 3 or the content providers 2
when the terminal accesses the image storage server 10, a domain
name server 14 for managing the domain name of the image storage
server 10, a firewall 15 for protecting the image storage server 10
from an unauthorized access, and a personal computer 16 for
managing the storage unit 11, the database server 12, the Web
server 13, the domain name server 14, and the firewall 15.
[0087] The storage unit 11 comprises a large-capacity hard disc or
a RAID that can store the databases and the image data sets whose
sizes are large. The storage unit 11 stores an image storage
database DB1 for storing the image data sets, a property
information database DB2 for storing property information on the
image data sets stored in the storage unit 11, a keyword database
DB3 for storing story keywords each representing a plurality of
search keywords and for storing the search keywords related to the
respective story keywords, an image information database DB4
wherein the image storage database DB1, the property information
database DB2, and the keyword database DB3 are related to each
other, a content provider information database DB5 for storing
information on the content providers 2, a user information database
DB6 for storing information on the users 3, and a contest image
database DB7 for storing image data sets representing images
awarded in photograph contests.
[0088] The database server 12 manages all the databases DB1 to DB7
described above.
[0089] The image storage database DB1 comprises each of the image
data sets whose registration was requested by the content providers
2, the file name of each of the images, the size of each of the
image data sets, and basic image information representing basic
information such as the date and time of update regarding each of
the image data sets.
[0090] The property information database DB2 is generated for all
the image data sets stored in the image storage database DB1, based
on property data that will be explained below. The property
information database DB2 comprises the property information on the
image data sets and header information that manages the property
information, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0091] The property information comprises items such as provider ID
for specifying each of the content providers 2, the file name of
each of the images to be registered, image distinction ID used by
the corresponding content provider 2 for identifying each of the
images, a flag showing whether or not a watermark has been added to
each of the images (the flag takes a value "1" if the watermark is
used, and takes a value "0" otherwise), a label name on a recording
medium used in the case of image registration via the recording
medium, a title of each of the images, a photographer of each of
the images, the date of photography, a location of photography, a
category or categories to which each of the images belongs, an
order type for each of the images, a charge representing a charge
for each of the images and a delivery charge, a memorandum
describing the content of each of the images and a photography
condition, and use history, for example. The file name of each of
the images is the same as in the image storage database DB1. When a
new image is registered or when one of the images is deleted or
subjected to property information change, the property information
database DB2 is updated.
[0092] The keyword database DB3 comprises story keywords RKn (n: a
natural number) and header information that manages the story
keywords, as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the story keywords RKn is
related to search keywords SKn (n: anatural number) represented by
the corresponding one of the story keywords. The search keywords
SKn are generated based on the title of each of the images or an
image keyword extracted from the memorandum in the property
information stored in the property information database DB2.
[0093] The story keywords represent a plurality of the search
keywords. More specifically, if one of the story keywords is
"baseball tournament", the search keywords such as "training",
"baseball equipment", "facial expressions after games", "little
league baseball tournament", and "high school baseball tournament"
are related to the story keyword. A manager at the image storage
provider 1 manages the relationships between the story keywords and
the search keywords.
[0094] The image information database DB4 stores information by
which the image storage database B1, the property information
database DB2, and the keyword database DB3 are related to each
other. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, the image information
database DB4 comprises items such as the provider ID, image ID
corresponding to the file name of each of the images included in
the property information, the size, the date and time of update,
the property information, the search keywords, the story keyword or
keywords, and other information.
[0095] The content provider information database DB5 stores the
information on the content providers 2 that have been registered
with the image use system 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the content
provider information database DB5 comprises content provider
information and header information that manages the content
provider information. When a new content provider 2 is registered,
or the content of registration is changed or deleted, the content
provider information database DB5 is updated. More specifically,
the content provider information database DB5 comprises items such
as the provider ID, the name, the address, the phone number, and
the E-mail address of each of the content providers, registration
records thereof, and other information.
[0096] The user information database DB6 stores the information on
the users 3 that have been registered with the image use system
100. As shown in FIG. 7, the user information database DB6
comprises user information and header information that manages the
user information. When a new user 3 is registered or the content of
registration is changed or deleted, the user information database
DB6 is updated. More specifically, the user information comprises
items such as the user ID, the name, the date of birth, age, the
address, a hobby, and the E-mail address of each of the users 3,
family structure thereof, use history regarding the image data
sets, and other information.
[0097] The contest image database DB7 stores the image data sets
representing the images awarded in the photograph contests
(hereinafter the image data sets and the images are referred to as
the contest image data sets and the contest images, respectively).
The contest image database DB7 comprises each of the contest image
data sets, the file name thereof, the data size thereof, the name
of each of the contests in which each of the contest images was
awarded, and information such as the date and time of update, as in
the image storage database DB1.
[0098] The Web server 13 generates the page (a window) to be
displayed on the terminal of one of the users 3 or one of the
content providers 2 when the user 3 or the provider 2 accesses the
image storage server 10. The Web server 13 also manages a Web site
for the image storage server 10. In other words, the Web server 13
generates a window for registration with the image use system 100
(hereinafter referred to as the registration window) in response to
a request from a new content provider 2 or a new user 3. For the
users 3 and the content providers 2 that have finished
registration, the Web server 13 generates a window for image search
(hereinafter referred to as the image search window), a window for
image selection, a window for receiving an order, and the like. The
Web server sends data for displaying the windows to the terminal of
the user 3 or the content provider 2 in access to the image storage
server 10.
[0099] The personal computer 16 has a function of an image search
apparatus of the present invention. The personal computer 16
controls the database server 12 and the Web server 13 so as to
carry out an image search by referring to the keyword database DB3
and the image information database DB4 stored in the storage unit
11 according to an instruction from the image search window
displayed on the terminal that has accessed the image storage
server 10, and to output a search result.
[0100] When one of the content providers 2 registers a new image,
or changes registration or deletes one or more of the images, the
personal computer 16 controls the database server 12 so as to
update the image storage database DB1, the property information
database DB2, the keyword database DB3, and the image information
database DB4 stored in the storage unit 11. When a new content
provider 2 or user 3 is registered or when the registration is
changed or deleted regarding any one of the providers 2 or the
users 3, the personal computer 16 controls the database server 12
so as to update the content provider information database DB5 and
the user information database DB6.
[0101] When one of the content providers 2 (hereinafter referred to
as the content provider 2) registers a new image, the personal
computer 16 refers to the contest image database DB7, and judges
whether or not the image to be registered (hereinafter referred to
as the image) is the same as one of the contest images. This
judgment is made by calculating a correlativity value between the
image and each of the contest images stored in the contest image
database DB7 and by comparing the correlativity value with a
predetermined threshold value. In the case where the correlativity
value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the image is
judged to be the same as one of the contest images.
[0102] In the case where the image has been judged to be the same
as one of the contest images, the personal computer 16 sends to the
content provider 2 an E-mail message saying that the image matches
one of the contest images. By judging whether or not the image to
be registered is the same as one of the contest images,
unauthorized use of the contest images by registration with the
image use system 100 can be prevented.
[0103] Each of the images stored in the image storage server 10
maybe judged for a match with the image that is going to be
registered, by referring not only to the contest image database DB7
but also the image storage database DB1. In this manner, if the
image matches one of the images that has already been registered by
one of the content providers 2, the image can be prevented from
being stored again in the image storage server 10.
[0104] Instead of sending an E-mail message, a message or an audio
message may be displayed on or output to the personal computer 16
for notifying the manager of the fact that the image is the same as
one of the contest images. In this case, the manager of the image
storage provider 1 notifies of the content provider 2 of the fact
that the image agrees with the contest image.
[0105] Each of the content providers 2 has a personal computer 21
that acts as the terminal for accessing the image storage server 10
via a network such as the Internet. The content providers 2
register themselves with the image use system 100 and register
their images with the image storage server 10 of the image storage
provider 1, for wider use of their images.
[0106] Each of the content providers 2 may register the images by
uploading the image data sets to the image storage server 10 after
an access thereto from the personal computer 21. Alternatively, the
images may be registered with the image storage server 10 by
recording the image data sets in a recording medium such as a CD-R,
a DVD-R, or an MO disc to be provided to the image storage server
provider 1. In the latter case, the manager in the image storage
provider 1 reads the image data sets from the recording medium with
use of a recording medium drive (not shown), and registers the
image data sets with the databases stored in the image storage
server 10.
[0107] Each of the content providers 2 may request management of
the images from the image storage provider 1 by providing the image
storage provider 1 with the images such as films, posters, and
panels to be rented or sold to the users 3. Alternatively, each of
the content providers 2 may carry out management of the images so
that the image storage provider 1 carries out only the image
registration. In the latter case, thumbnail image data sets
representing thumbnail images of the images to be registered are
provided to the image storage provider 1, and the images are
registered with the image storage server 10 based on the thumbnail
image data sets.
[0108] When the content provider 2 requests image registration from
the image storage provider 1, the content provider 2 generates the
property data that records the property information regarding the
images to be registered, and provides the property data to the
image storage provider 1. FIG. 8 shows the content of the property
information comprising the property data. As shown in FIG. 8, the
property data are generated in a csv file format, for example. The
property data include the provider ID for identifying the content
provider 2, the file name of each of the images to be registered,
the image distinction ID used by the content provider 2 for
identifying each of the images, the flag showing whether or not
each of the images has been added with a watermark (the flag takes
a value "1" if the watermark has been added, and takes a value "0"
otherwise), the label name on the recording medium in the case of
the image data sets being recorded in the recording medium, the
title of each of the images, the photographer of each of the
images, the location of photography, the date of photography, the
category or categories to which each of the images belong, the
order type or types including the image charge and the delivery
charge, a story representing the story keyword or keywords added to
each of the images, and the memorandum. The property information
database DB2 as well as the image information database DB4 are
updated, based on the property data.
[0109] The provider ID is the ID issued to the content provider 2
upon registration with the image use system.
[0110] The categories are predetermined and added with numbers such
as 1 for New Year, 2 for Christmas, 3 for snapshots, 4 for sports,
5 for scenery, and 6 for business, for example. The content
provider 2 inputs the number or numbers of the category or
categories to which each of the images belongs. In the case where
more than one of the categories correspond to the image, the
categories are input by being separated by underscores.
[0111] The order types are predetermined and added with numbers
such as 1 for negative films, 2 for positive films, 3 for posters,
and 4 for downloading, for example. The content provider 2 inputs
the order type number or numbers for the image. In the case where
more than one of the order types can be used, the order types are
input by being separated by underscores. The image charge and the
delivery charge are input following the order type number or
numbers, by being separated from the order type number with an "="
sign.
[0112] The content provider 2 needs to generate the property data
for each image registration. For example, if the image data sets
are provided to the image storage provider 1 in the form of the
recording medium, the property information corresponding to the
property data is generated for all the image data sets in the
recording medium, and recorded in the recording medium to be
provided to the image storage provider 1.
[0113] When the content provider 2 provides the image data sets to
the image storage provider 1 in the form of the recording medium,
labels need to be attached to the recording medium as shown in FIG.
9. More specifically, a label for indicating that the recording
medium is used for image registration, a label describing the
provider ID, a label describing the name of the content provider 2,
and a label for identifying the recording medium are pasted on the
recording medium.
[0114] Each of the users 3 has a personal computer 31 that acts as
the terminal for accessing the image storage server 10 via the
network such as the Internet. The users 3 are divided into general
users who enjoy the images for private uses and professional users
who use the images for commercial purposes. In this embodiment,
both types of users are called the users 3.
[0115] The operation of this embodiment will be explained next.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing procedures for registration of the
content provider 2. The content provider 2 carries out the
registration procedures through an access to the image storage
server 10 via the network.
[0116] Whether or not an access to the image storage server 10 has
been made by the content provider 2 is judged (Step S1). If a
result at Step S1 is affirmative, the Web server 13 generates a top
page of the Web site for the image storage provider 1 (Step S2),
and sends the top page to the personal computer 21 of the content
provider 2 (Step S3). The top page is displayed as a top page
window on the personal computer 21.
[0117] FIG. 11 shows the top page window. As shown in FIG. 11, the
top page window has a button display frame 41 in which various
buttons are displayed and an operation frame 42 in which various
operations are carried out.
[0118] In the button display frame 41 are shown a "User guide"
button 41A for displaying a user guide for use of the image use
system 100, a "What's New" button 41B for displaying an update of
the images, a "FAQ" button 41C for displaying frequently asked
questions, a "Newly Added" button 41D for displaying information on
images that have been added newly, an "Access Ranking" button 41E
for displaying an access ranking regarding the images that have
been registered with the image use system 100, a "Recommended
Images" button 41F for displaying images recommended by the image
storage provider 1, a "Best Seller Ranking" button 41G for
displaying a best seller ranking regarding the images, a "Log In"
button 41H for the registered users 3 to log in, a "Log Out" button
41I for logging off the system 100, a "General User Registration"
button 41J for the general users 3 to display a registration
window, a "Professional User Registration" button 41K for the
professional users 3 to display a registration window, a "User
Property Change" button 41L for the registered users 3 to display a
window for changing the user property information thereof, a
"Content Provider Registration" button 41M for a new content
provider 2 to display a registration window, and a "TOP" button 41N
for displaying the top page when another window is being
displayed.
[0119] In the button display frame 41 in the top page window, only
the "User guide" button 41A, the "What's New" button 41B, the FAQ
button 41C, the "Log In" button 41H, the "General User
Registration" button 41J, the "Professional User Registration"
button 41K, and the "Content Provider Registration" button 41M are
available before any one of the users 3 (hereinafter referred to as
the user 3) logs in the image use system 100.
[0120] The operation frame 42 is used for carrying out the
operations as will be explained later. In the operation frame are
shown a "For Commercial Use" button 42A for the professional users,
a "For Private Use" button 42B for the general users, a "Select
Images" button 42C for displaying a window for the professional
users to carry out image selection, a "Select Images" button 42D
for displaying a window for the general users to carry out image
selection, a "Select Photography Items" button 42E for displaying a
window for the professional users to carry out selection from
photography items, and a "Select Photography Items" button 42F for
displaying a window for the general users to carry out selection
from the photography items.
[0121] A new content provider 2 clicks the "Content Provider
Registration" button 41M in the case of registration with the image
use system 100. The image storage server 10 judges whether or not
the "Content Provider Registration" button 41M displayed in the
button display frame 41 in the top page window has been clicked
(Step S4). If a result at Step S4 is affirmative, the Web server 13
generates the registration window (Step S5), and sends the
registration window to the personal computer 21 of the new content
provider 2 (Step S6).
[0122] The new content provider 2 inputs registration information
comprising the name, the address, the phone number, and the E-mail
address thereof, and clicks a "Submit" button in the registration
window. The registration information is sent to the image storage
server 10. The image storage server 10 judges whether or not the
registration information has been received (Step S7). If a result
at Step S7 is affirmative, the content provider information
database DB5 is updated (Step S8), and the registration is
completed. An E-mail message notifying the new content provider 2
of the fact that the registration has been completed is sent to the
new content provider 2 (Step S9) to end the procedure.
[0123] The new content provider 2 may request registration by
sending to the image storage provider 1 a form for registration
with the image use system 100 after filling in the form. In this
case, the manager of the image storage provider 1 inputs the
registration information on the new content provider 2 to the image
storage server 10, in order to register the new content provider
2.
[0124] The new content provider 2 can carry out image registration
with the image storage server 10 after the registration thereof has
been completed in the above manner.
[0125] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing procedures carried for image
registration in this embodiment. The registration procedures are
repeated for each of the images to be registered. When one of the
image data sets to be registered is input to the image storage
server 10 for image registration (Step S11), the contest image
database DB7 is referred to (Step S12). The correlativity value is
calculated between the image and each of the contest images stored
in the contest image database DB7 (Step S13). The correlativity
value is calculated by adding a difference between pixel values at
corresponding pixel positions in the image and each of the contest
images to be compared with. Each of the image data sets is input to
the image storage server 10 via the network or by being read from
the recording medium with use of the recording medium drive of the
personal computer 16.
[0126] Whether the correlativity value is equal to or larger than
the predetermined threshold value is judged (Step S14). If a result
at Step S14 is negative, the image is judged to be different from
the contest images and the procedure ends. If the result at Step
S14 is affirmative, an E-mail message notifying the fact that the
image is the same as one of the contest images is sent to the
content provider 2 (Step S15) to end the procedure.
[0127] By judging whether or not the image to be registered is the
same as any one of the contest images, any image stolen from among
the contest images can be prevented from being registered with the
image storage system 100. In this manner, the contest images can be
prevented from being used illegally. The content providers 2 can
also prevent from committing a crime such as copyright infringement
due to erroneous registration of such an illegal image.
[0128] The user 3 accesses the image storage server 10 with use of
the personal computer 31, and can carry out an image search. FIG.
13 is a flow chart showing image search procedures carried out by
the user 3 in this embodiment. The procedures that are carried out
until the top page window 40 is displayed on the personal computer
31 of the user 3 are the same as the procedures from Step S1 to
Step S3 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the
procedures after the top page window 40 is displayed will be
explained below. The user 3 clicks either the "For Commercial Use"
button 42A or "For Private Use" button 42B, depending on his/her
purpose.
[0129] Regardless of which button is clicked, the same procedures
are carried out except for a color displayed in the following
window and the order type to be clicked. Therefore, only the case
of clicking the "For Commercial Use" button 42A will be explained
below.
[0130] Whether or not the "For Commercial Use" button 42A has been
clicked is firstly judged (Step S21). If a result at Step S21 is
affirmative, a top page window for the professional users is
displayed. If the "For Private Use" button 42B is clicked, a top
page window for the general users having a different color from the
top page window for the professional users is displayed.
[0131] FIG. 14 shows the top page window for the professional
users. As shown in FIG. 14, a top page window 43 is actually the
same as the top page window shown in FIG. 11. However, before the
user 3 logs in, only the "User guide" button 41A, the "What's New"
button 41B, the "FAQ" button 41C, the "Newly Added" button 41D, the
"Access Ranking" button 41E, the "Recommended Images" button 41F,
the "Best Seller Ranking" button 41G, the "Log In" button 41H, and
the "Professional User Registration" button 41K are available. In
the case where the user 3 has already logged in the image use
system 100, the "Log In" button 41H is not available but the "Log
Out" button 41I is available. How the user 3 logs in the image use
system 100 will be explained later.
[0132] Whether or not the "Select Images" button 42C has been
clicked is then judged (Step S22). If a result at Step S22 is
affirmative, the image search window is generated (Step S23), and
sent to the personal computer 31 of the user 3 (Step S24). The
image search window is displayed on the personal computer 31.
[0133] FIG. 15 shows the image search window. As shown in FIG. 15,
the image search window has a button display frame 41, a search
frame 44, and a search result display frame 45.
[0134] In the search frame 44 are shown an "Ordinary Search" button
44A for carrying out an ordinary image search as will be explained
later, a "Detailed Search" button 44B for carrying out a detailed
search, a pull-down menu 44C for a category search, a pull-down
menu 44D for a story keyword search, a keyword input box 44E for
inputting the search keyword or keywords used for a free keyword
search, option buttons 44F for specifying an AND search and an OR
search, option buttons 44G for specifying a new search or a
narrowing-down search, a "Reset" button 44H for resetting a search
condition, and a "Search" button 44I for carrying out the image
search. In this embodiment, a window generated by clicking the
"Ordinary Search" 44A button is used as a default window.
[0135] In the search result display frame 45 are shown a thumbnail
image or thumbnail images 45A representing the image or images
found among the images that have been registered, a "View Candidate
Box" button 45B for viewing an image or images that have been
selected and moved to one of candidate boxes as will be explained
later, a "Move to Candidate Box" button 45C for moving a selected
one of the thumbnail images to the candidate box, a "Display Order
Box" button 45D for displaying an image or images that have been
moved to an order box as will be explained later, a page display
field 45E for displaying a page number of the thumbnail images
being displayed, and a page moving field 45F that is clicked when
the page is changed. (For the sake of simpler explanation, all
thumbnail images are hereinafter referred to as the thumbnail
images even if there is only one thumbnail image found through a
search or the like.)
[0136] In this embodiment, a window in which thumbnail images of
the images recommended by the image storage provider 1 are
displayed is used as a default window for the search result display
frame 45.
[0137] Hereinafter, the search frame 44 will be explained in
detail. FIGS. 16 and 17 show details of the search frame 44 in the
image search window. In the case where a category search is carried
out, the user 3 clicks the pull-down menu 44C for the category
search, and the categories to which the registered images belong
are shown in the pull-down menu 44C, such as new year, Christmas,
snapshots, and sports, as shown in FIG. 16. The categories
correspond to the categories in the property information database
DB2. The user 3 can select one of the categories to which the
images to be searched for belong by clicking a desired one of the
categories in the pull-down menu 44C. By using the pull-down menu
44C in this manner, the desired category can be input easily.
[0138] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 17, when the user 3 clicks the
pull-down menu 44D for a story search, the selectable story
keywords such as a baseball tournament, pretty, pink,
retrospective, and yellow are shown in the pull-down menu 44D. The
story keywords correspond to the story keywords RKn stored in the
keyword database DB3. The user 3 can select one of the story
keywords RKn by clicking a desired one of the story keywords that
have been displayed in the menu. By using the pull-down menu 44D,
the desired story keyword can be input easily.
[0139] By carrying out the search using the story keyword, the
image information database DB4 is referred to, and all the images
having the search keywords related to the selected story keyword
are searched for. For example, if one of the story keywords
"baseball tournament" is related to the search keywords "training",
"baseball equipment", "facial expressions after games", "little
league baseball tournament", and "high school baseball tournament",
all the images related to the search keywords "training", "baseball
equipment", "facial expressions after tournaments", "little league
baseball tournament", and "high school baseball tournament" are
searched for. Therefore, by carrying out the story search using any
of the story keywords, all the images related to the story keyword
are searched for, and the images that can constitute the story can
be searched for efficiently.
[0140] Meanwhile, if the user 3 inputs any one or more of the
search keywords to the keyword input box 44E, the corresponding
images are searched for, based on the search keyword or keywords
that have been input. In the case where the search is carried out
by the search keyword or keywords input in the keyword input box
44E, the search keywords in the image information database DB4 are
referred to, and all the images related to the input search keyword
or keywords are searched for. The user 3 can input more than one of
the search keywords in the keyword input box by separating the
search keywords by spaces. By selecting either one of the option
buttons 44F, the user 3 can carry out an AND search or an OR
search.
[0141] When the user 3 clicks the "Search" button 44I after
specification of the category, the story keyword, and/or the search
keyword or keywords, the images are searched for. When a new search
is carried out, the option button 44G for new search is selected.
When a narrowing-down search is carried out, the option button 44G
for narrowing-down search is turned on. The image storage server 10
judges whether or not the "Search" button 44I has been clicked
(Step S25). If a result at Step S25 is affirmative, the image
information database DB4 stored in the storage unit 11 is referred
to for the image search (Step S26). A search result window is then
generated (Step S27), and sent to the personal computer 31 of the
user 3 (Step S28) to end the image search procedures. In this
manner, a search result is displayed in the search result display
frame 45.
[0142] In the case where the user 3 further carries out a
narrowing-down search after viewing the search result, the user 3
further specifies a category or a story to narrow down the search
result. Alternatively, the search keyword or keywords for the
narrowing-down search maybe input. Thereafter, the user 3 clicks
the option button 44G for narrowing-down search and clicks the
"Search" button 44I.
[0143] Meanwhile, when the "Detailed Search" button 44B is clicked,
a detailed search window is displayed in the search frame 44. FIG.
18 shows the detailed search window shown in the search frame 44.
In the detailed search window are displayed a title input box 44J
for inputting an image title to be used for a search by the title,
a photographer input box 44K for inputting a photographer to be
used for a search according to the photographer, photography date
input boxes 44L for inputting a range of the dates of photography
for carrying out a search according to the date of photography, a
content provider input box 44M for inputting one of the content
providers 2 for a search according to the content provider, a
pull-down menu 44P for carrying out a search according to one of
the order types, and a charge input box 44Q for inputting a charge
to be used for a search according to the charge, in addition to the
buttons and the option buttons 44A to 44I shown in the search frame
44.
[0144] The order types refer to the types of the images to be
provided to the user 3. The order types are different between the
cases of commercial use and private use. For example, the order
types that can be used for commercial purposes refer to posters,
calendars, panels, and newspaper advertisements for rent, or
downloading of the image data sets. The order types for private use
refer to downloading of the image data sets, providing postcards,
negative films, positive films, and photo frames, and providing
characters that the users 3 can use, for example.
[0145] In the detailed search window, the user 3 can carry out a
detailed image search by setting the title, the photographer, the
photography date, the content provider, the order type, and the
charge.
[0146] FIG. 19 shows the search result window. In FIG. 19, the
window displayed in the search result display frame 45 is shown. As
shown in FIG. 19, a quantity display field 45G for displaying the
number of images that have been found is displayed, as well as the
thumbnail images, the buttons and the fields 45A to 45F shown in
the search result display frame 45. In the search result window are
also displayed check boxes 45H for selecting the thumbnail images
to be moved to the candidate boxes, and pull-down menus 45I for
displaying the names of the candidate boxes.
[0147] The user 3 can understand the quantity and the content of
the images that have been found, based on the quantity display
field 45G and the thumbnail images 45A. In the case where all the
thumbnail images that have been found are not shown in one page,
all the thumbnail images 45A can be viewed if the page to be
displayed is changed in response to clicking the corresponding page
number in the page moving field 45F.
[0148] In the search result window, the user 3 selects one of the
check boxes 45H corresponding to a desired one of the thumbnail
images 45A to be moved to a desired one of the candidate boxes, and
specifies the desired candidate box by using the pull-down menu
45I. A number representing each of the candidate boxes, such as Box
1, Box 2 and so on is displayed in the pull-down menu 45I. However,
any candidate box having an arbitrary name may be input directly in
the pull-down menu 45I. In this case, a new candidate box is
generated and the selected thumbnail image 45A is moved
thereto.
[0149] After the user 3 has selected the check box 45H and has
specified the corresponding candidate box in the above manner for
each of the thumbnail images 45A he/she wishes to move, the user
clicks the "Move to Candidate Box" button 45C. The thumbnail images
whose check boxes have been selected are then moved to the
specified candidate boxes. In this manner, the thumbnail images 45A
can be classified and stored efficiently in the candidate boxes by
simply clicking the "Move to Candidate Box" button 45C.
[0150] In the case where the user 3 wishes to view the thumbnail
images 45A that have been moved to any one of the candidate boxes,
the user clicks the "View Candidate Box" button 45B. The candidate
box is shown as a separate window on the personal computer 31. FIG.
20 shows the candidate box window. As shown in FIG. 20, a candidate
box window 46 includes thumbnail images 46A moved thereto, a
candidate box name display field 46B for displaying the name of the
candidate box, and a candidate box specification field 46C used for
specifying one of the candidate boxes to be displayed.
[0151] The user 3 can view the thumbnail images 46A that have been
moved to the candidate box. By clicking the number of a desired one
of the candidate boxes, the user 3 can also view the thumbnail
images 46A moved thereto. In the case where the user 3 has
generated a candidate box, the name of the candidate box is
displayed in the candidate box specification field 46C.
[0152] The thumbnail images 45A that have been found through the
image search are shown in the search result display frame 45. By
clicking the "Newly Added" button 41D in the button display frame
41, the user 3 can also display in the search result display frame
45 a window for thumbnail images 45A of the images registered newly
with the image storage provider 1. By clicking the "Access Ranking"
button 41E, thumbnail images 45A of the images selected from the
registered images, whose access frequencies from 1.sup.st to
30.sup.th place in the past year, are displayed in the search
result display frame 45. The "access" refers to display of a
detailed information window regarding the thumbnail images as will
be explained later.
[0153] By clicking the "Recommended Images" button 41F, the user 3
can display thumbnail images 45A of the recommended images used as
the default window in the search result display frame 45. By
clicking the "Best Seller Ranking" button 41G, thumbnail images 45A
of the images selected from the registered images, whose purchase
frequencies are ranked from 1.sup.st to 30.sup.th place in the past
year, are displayed in the search result display frame 45.
[0154] In the top page window 43, by clicking the "Select
Photography Items" button 42E, a photography item window 47 is
displayed in the operation frame 42, as shown in FIG. 21. Thumbnail
images 47A of various kinds of photograph-related items such as
photograph frames are shown in the photograph item window 47. By
clicking a desired one of the thumbnail images 47A, an image
corresponding to the selected item is searched for, and a thumbnail
image display window of the searched image 47A is shown in the
search result display frame 45.
[0155] In the case where the user 3 wishes to view detailed
information on any one of the thumbnail images 45A displayed in the
search result display frame 45 or any one of the thumbnail images
46A displayed in the candidate box window 46, the user 3 needs to
log in the image use system 100. Therefore, the user 3 clicks the
"Log In" button 41H shown in the button display frame 41. In this
manner, a login window shown in FIG. 22 is displayed as a separate
window. As shown in FIG. 22, in a login window 48 are displayed a
user ID input box 48A for inputting the user ID, a password input
box 48B for inputting a password, a "New Registration" button 48C
used for new user registration, and a "Log In" button 48D for
logging in the image use system 100.
[0156] The user 3 inputs the user ID and the password in the user
ID input box 48A and in the password input box 48B in the case
where he/she has already registered himself/herself. Thereafter,
the user 3 clicks the "Log In" button 48D to log in the image use
system 100.
[0157] Meanwhile, in the case where the user 3 has not finished
his/her registration, the user 3 clicks the "New Registration"
button 48C. The registration window (not shown) for inputting
information such as the name, the address, the phone number, the
date of birth, and the E-mail address of the user 3, is displayed,
and the user 3 inputs the information. The information is sent to
the image storage server 10, and the user 3 can register
himself/herself in this manner. The user 3 can select registration
as either a professional user or a general user. The registration
can be confirmed by an E-mail message sent from the image storage
server 10 to the user 3 to describe the user ID and the
password.
[0158] The user registration and login can also be carried out in
the top page window 40. In other words, in the case where the user
3 has already finished his/her registration, the user 3 clicks the
"Log In" button 41H in the button display frame 41. The operation
frame 42 is displayed as shown in FIG. 23, wherein a user ID input
box 42H, a password input box 42I, a "Go Back" button 42J for
returning to a previous window, and a "Log In" button 42K for login
are shown. The user 3 inputs the user ID and the password in the
user ID input box 42H and in the password input box 42I, and clicks
the "Log In" button 42K. In this manner, the user 3 can log in the
image use system 100. The user 3 can carry out various kinds of
operations such as the image search while he/she is logging in the
system 100. At this time, whether the user 3 is a professional user
or a general user is judged, based on the user ID. The window
corresponding to the type of the user 3 (professional or general)
is then displayed on the personal computer 31 of the user 3.
[0159] In the case where the user 3 has not finished his/her
registration, the user 3 can register himself/herself by clicking
the "Professional User Registration" button 41K or the "General
User Registration" button 41J displayed in the button display frame
41. At this time, the registration window is different in the color
and items to be input, depending on the difference between the
professional users and the general users.
[0160] The user 3 who has already finished his/her registration
with the image storage provider 1 can change his/her information by
clicking the "User Property Change" button 41L shown in the button
display frame 41.
[0161] After logging in the image use system 100 the above manner,
if the user 3 clicks either one of the thumbnail images 45A or 46A
in the search result window or in the candidate box window 46, the
user 3 can view the detailed information on the image represented
by the selected thumbnail image 45A or 46A. The detailed
information window is displayed separately from the other windows,
in response to clicking the desired thumbnail image 45A or 46A.
[0162] In the case where the user 3 has displayed the search result
window or the candidate box window 46 by carrying out a search
after logging in the image use system 100, the detailed information
can be displayed only by clicking one of the thumbnail images 45A
or 46A.
[0163] FIG. 24 shows the detailed information window. As shown in
FIG. 24, in a detailed information window 49 are displayed an
enlargement 49A of the selected image, a property information
display field 49B for displaying the property information such as
the title and the photographer of the image, a category display
field 49C for displaying the category or categories the image
belongs to, a story display field 49D for displaying the story
keyword related to the image, an order type display field 49E for
displaying the order type or types, a "Move to Order Box" button
49F for moving the image to the order box, a "Display Order Box"
button 49G for displaying the image or images that have been moved
to the order box, and a "Display History" button 49H for displaying
the use history regarding the image.
[0164] In the order type display field 49E are shown check boxes
49I for specifying the order types such as downloading, and posters
and newspaper advertisements for rent, a charge display field 49J
for displaying the image charge according to the order types, a
delivery charge display field 49K for displaying the charge for
delivery, and quantity input fields 49L for inputting a quantity to
be ordered.
[0165] The user 3 confirms the detailed information on the selected
image by viewing the detailed information window 49, and clicks a
desired one of the order type check boxes 49I if he/she wishes to
place an order. The user 3 then inputs the quantity in the
corresponding one of the quantity input boxes 49L, and clicks the
"Move to Order Box" button 49F. In this manner, the image displayed
in the detailed information window 49 is moved to the order
box.
[0166] Meanwhile, if the user 3 clicks the "Display History" button
49H in the detailed information window 49, the property information
database DB2 is referred to, and the use history on the image
displayed in the detailed information window 49 is shown. FIG. 25
shows a use history display window. As shown in FIG. 25, a use
history display window 49K has a use history display field 49L for
displaying the use history and an "Inquire" button 49M for
inquiring the use history in detail to the image storage provider 1
by using an E-mail message.
[0167] The use history shown in the use history display field 49L
includes how the image was used, the name of a company that used
the image, the time at which the image use was started, and a time
period in which the image was used, for example.
[0168] Since the user 3 can confirm the use history on the image
displayed in the detailed information window 49 by viewing the use
history display window 49K, the user 3 can be prevented from using
the same image that was used for an advertisement by his/her
competitor, for example.
[0169] In the case where the user 3 wishes to know the use history
in detail regarding the charge and the like, the user 3 clicks the
"Inquire" button 49M to ask the image storage provider 1 for the
use history in detail. Furthermore, depending on the users 3, a
rank of use history that can be displayed may be determined so that
the use history according to the rank can be displayed.
[0170] By clicking the "Display Order Box" button 49G in the
detailed information window 49, the image or images that have been
moved to the order box can be displayed. By clicking the "Display
Order Box" button 45D in the search result window, the same images
can also be displayed.
[0171] FIG. 26 shows the order box display window. As shown in FIG.
26, in an order box display window 50 are displayed thumbnail
images 50A that have been moved to the order box, information
display fields 50B for displaying the title, the photographer, the
order type, the quantity and the charge for each of the images, and
"Delete from Order Box" buttons 50C for deleting any one of the
images from the order box. In addition to those buttons, a charge
display field 50D for displaying a total charge, an "Order" button
50E for placing an order, and a "Go Back" button 50F for going back
to the detailed information window 49 are also shown in the order
box display window 50.
[0172] The user 3 can delete any one of the images by clicking the
"Delete from Order box" button 50C in the information display field
corresponding to the thumbnail image 50A to be deleted. By clicking
the "Go Back" button 50F, the user can return to the detailed
information window 49. By clicking the "Order" button 50E, an
addressee confirmation window is displayed.
[0173] FIG. 27 shows the addressee confirmation window. As shown in
FIG. 27, in an addressee confirmation window 51 are displayed input
boxes 51A for inputting the zip code, the address, the name, the
phone number, the fax number, the E-mail address, and the date of
birth of the user 3, option buttons 51B for selecting the gender of
the user 3, and an "Order" button 51C for placing the order. In the
addressee confirmation window 51, the zip code, the address, the
name, the phone number, the fax number, the E-mail address, and the
date of birth of the user 3 have been input in the input boxes 51A
in an initial state. The gender of the user 3 is also selected from
the option buttons 51B.
[0174] In the case where the user 3 changes an addressee, the user
3 inputs the zip code, the address, the name, the phone number, the
fax number, the E-mail address, and the date of birth of the
addressee in the input boxes 51A, and selects either one of the
option buttons 51B. After the addressee is confirmed or input, an
order content confirmation window is displayed in response to
clicking the "Order" button 51C.
[0175] FIG. 28 shows the order content confirmation window. As
shown in FIG. 28, in an order content confirmation window 52 are
displayed an order content display field 52A for displaying the
detail of the content of the order, an "Order according to this
Content" button 52B for confirming the order, and a "Go Back"
button 52C for going back to the addressee confirmation window 51.
If the user 3 clicks the "Order according to this Content" button
52B after confirming the order content display field 52A, the order
is placed and received by the image storage server 10. The image
storage server 10 sends a confirmation E-mail message to the user 3
after reception of the order, and completes the order
reception.
[0176] In the case where the order is for image rental, if the
content provider 2 manages the requested images, the content
provider 2 is notified of the order via an E-mail message or the
like. The content provider 2 sends the requested image or images
such as posters or negative films to the user 3. In the case where
the images are managed by the image storage provider 1, the image
storage provider 1 sends the requested image or images to the user
3. In this manner, the user 3 can obtain the requested images.
[0177] In the case where the images are to be obtained by
downloading, a "Download" button 410 is added to the button display
frame 41 for downloading, as shown in FIG. 29. In this case, the
user 3 can download the image or images at any time within a
predetermined time period after placing the order (such as 2 weeks
after placing the order). For this reason, when the user 3 clicks
the "Download" button 410, a list of images (thumbnail images) that
have been ordered via downloading in the predetermined time period
are shown. The user 3 can select any one or more of the images and
can download the image data set or sets corresponding to the
selected image or images.
[0178] The content provider 2 can also log in the image use system
100 by using the provider ID thereof, like the user 3. When the
content provider 2 logs in, a "Content provider Menu" button 41P
dedicated to the content providers 2 is displayed in the button
display frame 41, as shown in FIG. 30. Since the provider ID of the
content provider 2 is different from the user ID of each of the
users 3, the "Content provider Menu" button 41P is displayed only
in the case where the ID that has been input is the provider
ID.
[0179] The content provider 2 also displays the image search window
by clicking either the "For Commercial Use" button 42A or the "For
Private Use" button 42B shown in the top page window 40. In this
window, the content provider 2 can search for a desired one of the
images or display the detailed information therein. In the case
where the image whose detailed information is being displayed was
registered by the content provider 2, a detailed information
setting window is displayed for the content provider 2.
[0180] FIG. 31 shows the detailed information setting window for
the content providers 2. As shown in FIG. 31, in a detailed
information setting window 53, the content provider 2 can change
the image property. In the detailed information setting window 53
are displayed an image 53A, a title input box 53B for inputting the
title of the image, an image ID display field 53C for displaying
the image ID, a photographer input box 53D for inputting the
photographer of the image, a photography date input box 53E for
inputting the date of photography, a photography location input box
52F for inputting the location of photography, a content provider
name display field 53G for displaying the name of the content
provider 2, an explanation input box 53H for inputting an
explanation on the image, category check boxes 53I for setting the
category or categories the image belongs to, story check boxes 53J
for setting the story or stories of the image, order type check
boxes 53K for setting the order type or types for the image, charge
input boxes 53L for inputting the image charge corresponding to
each of the order types, delivery charge input boxes 53M for
inputting the delivery charge corresponding to each of the order
types, a "Change Image Property" button 53N for changing the image
property, and a "Delete Image" button 53O for deleting the
image.
[0181] In a default state, the information has been input or
selected in the corresponding input boxes or from the corresponding
check boxes, based on the information stored in the property
information database DB2 and the image information database
DB4.
[0182] The content provider 2 can change the image property, the
order type or types, and the charge in the detailed information
setting window 53. More specifically, the content provider 2
corrects the information input in the input boxes on the title, the
photographer, the date of photography, the photography location,
the explanation, the image charge, and the delivery charge, and
selects the corresponding check boxes for the property to be
changed. Thereafter, the content provider 2 clicks the "Change
Image Property" button 53N. In this manner, the property
information on the image can be changed, and the property
information database DB2 and the image information database DB4 are
updated. By clicking the "Delete Image" button 53O, the image
displayed in the detailed information setting window 53 can be
deleted.
[0183] If the content provider 2 clicks the "Content provider Menu"
button 41P displayed in the button display frame 41, a content
provider management menu is shown.
[0184] FIG. 32 shows the content provider management menu. As shown
in FIG. 32, a content provider management menu 54 has "Sales
Information" button 54A for displaying information on image sales,
a "Rental Management" button 54B for managing image rental, and a
"Go to Top Page" button 54C for going back to the top page
window.
[0185] When the content provider 2 clicks the "Sales Information"
button 54A, a period input window for inputting a time period for
displaying the sales information is shown. FIG. 33 shows the period
input window. As shown in FIG. 33, a period input window 55 has
period input boxes 55A for inputting the time period, and a
"Download" button 55B for downloading sales data representing the
sales information for the time period. When the content provider 2
inputs the time period in the period input boxes 55A and clicks the
"Download" button 55B, the sales data representing the sales
information are downloaded.
[0186] FIG. 34 shows the sales information represented by the sales
data. As shown in FIG. 34, the sales information includes the
provider ID, the image ID, the name of the content provider, the
image title, the photographer, the location, the date of
photography, the date of order, the order type used for the order,
the charge, and the quantity. The content provider 2 can analyze
the sales for the period by confirming the sales information.
[0187] When the content provider 2 clicks the "Rental Management"
button 54B, a rental management window is displayed. FIG. 35 shows
the rental management window. As shown in FIG. 35, in a rental
management window 36 are displayed thumbnail images 56A of
unreturned images, the image ID 56B of each of the unreturned
images, check boxes 56C that are selected by the content provider 2
in the case where the corresponding images have been returned, and
an "Update" button 56D for updating the content of the rental
management window. The content provider 2 selects the check boxes
56C for the images that have been returned, and clicks the "Update"
button 56D. The content of the rental management window is then
updated.
[0188] The image storage provider 1 also needs to manage the image
use system 100. In this embodiment, the image storage provider 1
has management ID for managing the image use system 100. Therefore,
the manager of the image storage provider 1 displays the top page
window 40 shown in FIG. 11 on the personal computer 16 of the image
storage server 10, and clicks the "Log In" button 41H to display a
login window. The manager logs in and manages the image use system
100 by inputting the management ID and a password in the login
window. When the manager logs in the image use system 100 by using
the management ID, a "Management Menu" button 41Q is displayed for
the manager in the button display frame 41, as shown in FIG. 36.
Since the management ID is different from the user ID of each of
the users 3, the "Management Menu" button 41Q in FIG. 36 is
displayed only in the case where the ID that has been input is the
management ID.
[0189] When the manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
"Management Menu" button 41Q, a management window is displayed.
FIG. 37 shows the management window. As shown in FIG. 37, in a
management menu window 57 are displayed a "Content provider
Management" button 57A for managing the content providers 2, a
"Category Management" button 57B for managing the image categories,
a "Keyword Management" button 57C for managing the story keywords,
an "Order Type Management" button 57D for managing the order types,
a "Charge Information Downloading" button 57E for downloading
charge information, and a "Go to Top Page" button 57F for going
back to the top page window.
[0190] If the manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
"Content provider Management" button 57A in the management menu
window 57, a content provider management window is displayed for
managing the content providers 2. The manager can register a new
content provider 2, and change or delete the registration on the
content providers 2 in the content provider management window.
[0191] FIG. 38 shows the content provider management window. As
shown in FIG. 38, in a content provider management window 58 are
displayed a list display field 58A for displaying a list of the
provider ID and the name of each of the content providers 2, check
boxes 58B to be selected at the time of registration deletion, an
"Add" button 58C for registering a new content provider 2, a
"Delete" button 58D for deleting registration of any of the content
providers 2, and a "Go Back" button 58E for going back to a
previous window.
[0192] The manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
provider ID of the content provider 2 whose registration is
changed, in the list display field 58A. A window for changing the
registration is then displayed, and the manager can change the
registration by using this window.
[0193] In the case where the manager registers a new content
provider 2, the manager clicks the "Add" button 58C. A registration
window is displayed for the new content provider 2, and the manager
can register the new content provider by using this window. The
manager carries out the registration in the case where the new
content provider 2 asks the registration by mail or the like.
[0194] In the case where the manager deletes the registration of
any one of the content providers 2, the manager clicks the check
box 58B corresponding to the content provider 2 and clicks the
"Delete" button 58D. In this manner, the registration of the
content provider 2 whose check box was selected can be deleted.
[0195] When new registration, registration deletion, or
registration change is carried out, the content provider
information database DB5 is updated. An E-mail message notifying
the new registration, the registration deletion, or the
registration change is sent to the corresponding content provider
2. Especially, in the case where new registration is carried out,
the E-mail message to the content provider 2 includes the provider
ID and the password for the content provider 2 so that the content
provider 2 can immediately use the image use system 100.
[0196] When the manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
"Category Management" button 57B in the management menu window 57,
a category management window is displayed for managing the
categories to which the images belong. The manager can add a new
category, and can correct or delete the categories in the category
management window.
[0197] FIG. 39 shows the category management window. As shown in
FIG. 39, in a category management window 59 are displayed a
pull-down menu 59A for selecting one of the categories, a category
ID display field 59B for displaying the ID of the selected
category, a category name input box 59C for displaying the category
to be managed and for inputting a new category, an "Add" button 59D
for adding the new category, a "Correct" button 59E for correcting
one of the categories, a "Delete" button 59F for deleting one of
the categories, and a "Go Back" button 59G for going back to a
previous window.
[0198] In the case where the manager of the image storage provider
1 adds a new category, the manager selects "New" in the pull-down
menu 59A, and inputs the new category in the category name input
box 59C. By clicking the "Add" button 59D thereafter, the manager
can add the new category.
[0199] In the case where the manager corrects any one of the
categories, the manager selects the category to be corrected from
the pull-down menu 59A. The corresponding category ID and the
category name are displayed in the category ID display field 59B
and the category name input box 59C. The manager corrects the
category name displayed in the category name input box 59C, and
clicks the "Correct" button 59E. In this manner, the selected
category can be changed.
[0200] In the case where the manager deletes any one of the
categories, the manager selects the category to be deleted from the
pull-down menu 59A. The corresponding category ID and the category
name are displayed in the category ID display field 59B and the
category name input box 59C. If the manager clicks the "Delete"
button 59F, the selected category can be deleted.
[0201] When the categories are added with the new category,
corrected or deleted in the above manner, the property information
database DB2 and the image information database DB4 are
updated.
[0202] If some of the images registered with the image storage
server 10 belong to the category to be deleted, the category cannot
be deleted. In this case, the images that belong to the category
are searched for according to the category name, and the category
to which the images belong is changed for these images in the
detailed information window. Thereafter, the category can be
deleted.
[0203] If the manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
"Keyword Management" button 57C in the management menu window 57, a
keyword management window is displayed for managing the story
keywords. The story keywords can be added with a new story keyword,
corrected, and deleted by using this window.
[0204] FIG. 40 shows the keyword management window. As shown in
FIG. 40, in a keyword management window 60 are displayed a
pull-down menu 60A for selecting one of the story keywords, a story
keyword input box 60B for displaying the selected story keyword and
for inputting a new story keyword, a search keyword input box 60C
for displaying the search keywords related to the story keyword
that has been displayed and for inputting new search keywords to be
related to the story keyword that has been input, an "Add" button
60D for adding the new story keyword, a "Correct" button 60E for
correcting the displayed story keyword and the displayed search
keywords, a "Delete" button 60F for deleting the displayed story
keyword, and a "Go Back" button 60G for going back to a previous
window.
[0205] The manager of the image storage provider 1 selects "New" in
the pull-down menu 60A in the case where a new story keyword is
added. The manager inputs the story keyword to be added in the
story keyword input box 60B, and inputs the search keywords to be
related to the new story keyword in the search keyword input box
60C. By clicking the "Add" button 60D thereafter, the manager can
add the new story keyword.
[0206] In the case where the manager corrects any one of the story
keywords and the search keywords related thereto, the manager
selects the story keyword to be corrected from the pull-down menu
60A. The selected story keyword and the search keywords related
thereto are displayed in the story keyword input box 60B and the
search keyword input box 60C. The story keyword displayed in the
story keyword input box is corrected and the search keywords
displayed in the search keyword display box are corrected, deleted
or added with a new search keyword if necessary. When the manager
clicks the "Correct" button 60E thereafter, the selected story
keyword and the search keywords related thereto can be
corrected.
[0207] In the case where the manager deletes one of the story
keywords, the manager selects the story keyword to be deleted from
the pull-down menu 60A. The selected story keyword and the search
keywords related thereto are displayed in the story keyword input
box 60B and in the search keyword input box 60C. If the manager
clicks the "Delete" button 60F, the selected story keyword is
deleted.
[0208] When the story keyword is added, corrected or deleted in the
above manner, the keyword database DB3 and the image information
database DB4 are updated.
[0209] If some of the images registered with the image storage
server 10 are related to the story keyword to be deleted, the story
keyword cannot be deleted. In this case, the images that are
related to the story keyword are searched for according to the
story keyword, and the relationship with the story keyword is
deleted from these images in the detailed information window of the
images. Thereafter, the story keyword can be deleted.
[0210] When the manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
"Order Type Management" button 57D in the management window 57, an
order type management window is displayed for managing the order
types. The order types can be added with a new order type,
corrected, and deleted by using this window.
[0211] FIG. 41 shows the order type management window. As shown in
FIG. 41, in an order type management window 61 are displayed a
pull-down menu 61A for selecting one of the order types, an order
type ID display field 61B for displaying the ID of the selected
order type, an order type input box 61C for displaying the selected
order type and for inputting a new order type, an "Add" button 61D
for adding the new order type, a "Correct" button 61E for
correcting the selected order type, a "Delete" button 61F for
deleting the selected order type, a "Go Back" button 61G for going
back to a previous window, check boxes 61H for selecting either
professional users or general users as a target of the order type,
check boxes 61I for selecting either images or photography items as
an order category, a file name input box 61J for inputting the file
name of one of the images of the photography items to be selected
in the case where the order category is for photography items, an
image display field 61K for displaying the image of the selected
photography item, and a comment input box 61L for inputting a
comment.
[0212] The manager of the image storage provider 1 selects "New"
from the pull-down menu 61A if he/she wishes to add a new order
type. The manager then inputs the name of the order type to be
added in the order type input box 61C, and selects either one of
the check boxes 61H or the both boxes 61H. If the manager clicks
the "Add" button 61D after clicking either one of the order
categories, the new order type is added.
[0213] In the case where the order category for photography items
has been selected, the image for showing the new photography item
to be added is necessary. Therefore, if the file name of an image
data set of the photography item is input to the file name input
box 61J, the image is displayed in the image display field 61K. If
necessary, a comment is input in the comment input box 61L. By
clicking the "Add" button 61D thereafter, the new photography item
is added to the order type.
[0214] In the case where any one of the order types is corrected,
the order type to be corrected is selected from the pull-down menu
61A. The order type ID and the selected order type are displayed in
the order type ID display filed 61B and in the order type input box
61C. The target of order type and the order category that have been
registered are selected from the check boxes 61H and 61I. The
manager corrects the order type displayed in the order type input
box 61C, and selects or inputs the target, the order category, the
comment, and the image to be displayed in the case of photography
items, if necessary. When the manager clicks the "Correct" button
61E thereafter, the selected order type can be corrected.
[0215] In the case where the manager deletes any of the order
types, the manager selects the order type to be deleted from the
pull-down menu 61A. The order type ID and the order type are
displayed in the order type ID display field 61B and in the order
type input box 61C. When the manager clicks the "Delete" button 61F
thereafter, the selected order type can be deleted.
[0216] When the order type is added, corrected, or deleted in the
above manner, the property information database DB2 and the image
information database DB4 are updated.
[0217] When the manager of the image storage provider 1 clicks the
"Download Charge Information" button 57E in the management menu
window 57, a charge information downloading window is displayed for
downloading charge data representing the charge information
regarding the content providers 2 is displayed. The manager can
download the charge data and display the data in this window.
[0218] FIG. 42 shows the charge information downloading window. As
shown in FIG. 42, in a charge information downloading window 62 are
displayed a pull-down menu 62A for selecting a desired one of the
content providers 2 for charge information downloading, period
input boxes 62B for inputting a time period for obtaining the
charge information, a "Download" button 62C for downloading the
charge data, and a "Go Back" button 62D for going back to a
previous window.
[0219] The manager of the image storage provider 1 selects the
desired content provider 2 regarding which the charge information
is downloaded from the pull-down menu 62A, and inputs the time
period in the period input boxes 62B. By clicking the "Download"
button 62C thereafter, the charge data of the selected content
provider 2 can be downloaded. If the manager selects all the
content providers 2 from the pull-down menu 62A, the charge
information for all the content providers 2 can be downloaded.
[0220] FIG. 43 shows the charge information represented by the
charge data. As shown in FIG. 43, the charge information comprises
items such as the provider ID, the image ID, the name of the
content provider, the title of the image, the photographer, the
photography location, the date of photography, the date of order,
the order type, the charge, and the quantity. The image storage
provider 1 can total the charges regarding each of the content
providers 2 by confirming the charge information.
[0221] In the same manner as the users 3, the manager of the image
storage provider 1 can also carry out an image search and display
the detailed information thereof, by clicking the "For Commercial
Use" button 42A or the "For Private Use" button 42B in the top page
window 40. The image search window is displayed and the manager can
carry out the image search and can display the detailed
information. When the manager displays the detailed information at
this stage, a detailed information setting window for the manager
is displayed.
[0222] FIG. 44 shows the detailed information setting window for
the manager. As shown in FIG. 44, a detailed information setting
window 63 is used by the manager for setting the image property
registered with the image use system 100. The detailed information
setting window 63 comprises an image 63A, a title display field 63B
for displaying the title of the image, an image ID display field
63C for displaying the ID of the image, a photographer display
field 63D for displaying the name of the photographer of the image,
a photography date display field 63E for displaying the date of
photography, a photography location display field 63F for
displaying the location of the photography, a provider name display
field 63G for displaying the name of the content provider 2 that
owns the image, an explanation display field 63H for displaying the
explanation of the image, category check boxes 63I for category
setting, story check boxes 63J for story keyword setting, order
type check boxes 63K for order type setting, a "Change Image
Property" button 63L for changing the property of the image, a
"Delete Image" button 63M for deleting the image, and a check box
63N that is selected when the image is added to the recommended
images.
[0223] In a default state, the check boxes have been selected based
on the property information database DB2 and the image information
database DB4.
[0224] The manager of the image storage provider 1 can change the
category setting, the story keyword setting, and the order type
setting regarding the image, add the image to the recommended
images, and delete the image, in the detailed information setting
window 63. In other words, the manager can change the property
information of the image by clicking the "Change Image Property"
button 63L after changing selection of the check boxes in the
category check boxes 63I, the story check boxes 63J, and in the
order type check boxes 63K and by selecting the check box 63N. By
clicking the "Delete Image" button 63M, the manager can also delete
the image if the image is unethical.
[0225] In the above embodiment, a story search is carried out by
combining the story keywords and the search keywords related
thereto. However, the story keywords may be added to the
corresponding image data sets to which the search keywords related
thereto have already been added respectively. In this case, when a
story search is carried out, the story keywords added to the image
data sets are directly referred to for the story search.
[0226] In this case, the story keywords may be added to the image
data sets or embedded in the image data sets as electronic
watermarks to be used for a story search.
[0227] AS has been described in the above, the search keywords are
related to each of the story keywords in this embodiment.
Therefore, by carrying out a story search, the corresponding image
data sets can be searched for at once, based on the search keywords
related to the story keyword or keywords. Therefore, the image
search can be carried out efficiently.
* * * * *